Importance

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Abstract

Automated surgical procedures, including procedures carried out in conjunction with image-guided surgical navigation systems, are improved using tools and techniques to refine bone modifications. A system-level embodiment of the invention includes a memory for storing information relating to a desired modification of a bone, a bone-modification tool, and tracking apparatus for determining the position and orientation of the bone and the bone-modification tool to ensure that the modification performed by the tool corresponds to the desired modification. In the preferred embodiment, the bone-modification tool is used to refine a previously resected surface by a few millimeters or a few degrees to achieve the desired modification. A method of preparing a bone to receive a prosthetic implant according to the invention includes the steps of using an image-guided surgical navigation system to surface a bone, determining if the surface is optimized for the prosthetic implant, and if not, using a finishing tool in conjunction with the image-guided surgical navigation system to refine the surface. These steps may be repeated as desired to further optimize the surface.

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First Claim